Vern Forsberg
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Vern was born on March 8, 1925, in St. Paul, Minnesota, the second child of Swedish/Norwegian parents, Ernest and Julia (Anderson) Forsberg. He had an older brother and two younger sisters.
Most of his early childhood was spent in Western Pennsylvania near New Castle. Eight of his years were spent in Hell’s Hollow where there were several iron furnaces, a mill, and beautiful water falls. This area is now McConnell’s Mill State Park.
Immediately after graduating from Shenango High School in 1943, Vern spent two and a half years with the Army Engineers in Mississippi, Louisiana, Okinawa, and Korea where he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was on limited service because of his eyesight. Due to his typing skills that he’d learned as a senior in high school, he worked as mail clerk, office clerk, and in spare parts inventory.
After returning from his military service, he attended Anderson College (now Anderson University) in Indiana where he graduated in 1950 with a bachelor of science degree in business administration. While there he met his wife, Lois Oneida Miller, who became his beloved bride on June 25, 1949. They enjoyed 70 years of marriage before Lois’ passing in March of 2020.
Vern and Lois returned to Pennsylvania after college where they lived close to Lois’ family’s farm. During that time, Vern worked with Knouse Foods and Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. In 1954, they moved back to Anderson where he was employed with the Church of God’s Foreign Missionary Board and served as office manager, assistant treasurer and finally as director of Missionary Personal Affairs. During that time, Lois worked as the administrative assistant in the Church Service office of the Church of God. They found a lovely home in an idyllic spot on that backed up to the White River and spent nearly 30 years there.
Vern and Lois were very involved in the Park Place Church of God during those years and participated in various ministries such as: Stewardship and Budget, Board of Trustees, Lay Ministry, music, and Sunday school teachers.
In 1982, Vern became the Northeast Territory Manager for Warner Press. To be closer to the Christian book stores he serviced, they moved back to Pennsylvania to the quaint town of Boiling Springs just outside of Carlisle, where they had a lovely view over the farm fields looking towards the mountains.
Vern was very artistic and creative. Due to his interest in folk art and his interest in Scandinavian crafts, he took up the Norwegian painting called Rosemaling. He produced many beautifully painted pieces which were sold at juried craft fairs and in several craft shops.
Upon Lois’ death, Vern moved back to Anderson to be closer to family and friends. He delighted in using his artistic abilities to decorate his home.
Vern and Lois both made decisions to serve the Lord early in their lives. Vern was 13 when he accepted the Lord and was baptized. Upon their return to PA, they attended the Cavalry Road Church of God, now Lighthouse Church of God, in Carlisle and were actively involved as long as their health allowed.
Until Vern had less energy, he had enjoyed attending Rock Steady Boxing through Community Hospital which helped him “to fight back” against Parkinson’s Disease which greatly affected him in his later years.
Vern is survived by two siblings, Joyce Shriner and Julia (Judy) (Jim) Crooks, all of Florida; and sister-in-law, Esther Forsberg, of Lexington, Kentucky. He also enjoyed any time he spent with his eight nieces and nephews, their spouses and children. His nieces and nephews are: Ron (Gigi) Forsberg, Brenda (Steve) Birch, Russell (Michelle) Miller, Denyse (Allen) Thorpe, Greg (Xin Qiang) Schaffer, Lori Shriner, Sheri (Eric) Sholander, and Ken (Pam) Crooks.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Lois; brother, Donald Lorren Forsberg; brother-in-law, Neil Shiner; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Walter and Mary Miller.
Vern’s extended family would like to thank his caregiver and friend, Diane Vosburg, for the time she invested in helping Vern be able to spend several happy years back in Anderson. Her willingness to cook special recipes, take him to flea markets, shop for special items, advocate for him when he was in rehab and/or assisted living, and be more than “just” a caregiver was a blessing! Also, Vern was blessed to have a very special neighbor and friend, Bob Singer, who willingly chauffeured him to appointments, helped with outside tasks, and was always willing to help when needed once Vern was unable to drive.
Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.